Inuit Art in Motion

Inuit Art in Motion explores spiritual transformation through drum dancing, a major theme in Inuit art. Twenty stone and bone drum dancers, dancing bears, hunters, mothers, and figures in motion - all from the permanent collection of Inuit art at the AGO - are brought together to examine the continuum of transfigurative moments that connect the “real” or everyday with the spiritual in Inuit culture. Each of the 20 sculptures in Inuit Art in Motion marks a frozen moment within this continuum. Drum dancing celebrates the connection and the interdependency over time and place of all living beings on nuna (the land) where every human being and every animal responds to the same beat of their tarneq (their soul). The choreography of sculptures in Inuit Art in Motion into relationships based on movement over time and space allows the individual works to perform together in a grand expression of life and cosmology in the Arctic.

Connect with us

All images reproduced on this Site are provided free of charge for research and/or private study purposes only. Any other use, distribution or reproduction thereof without the express permission of the copyright holder, is subject to limitations imposed by law. Any commercial exploitation of the images is strictly prohibited.

We're always looking for ways to improve our site, so we want to know why you're here and how we can help you find the information you need. For specific questions or comments about our website or this survey, please contact us. Thanks for your help!